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Teaching Kids Programming

Submitted by Khalid on Wed, 2004/02/11 - 18:05

In order to teach kids how to program, you need first to get them interested in something that is computer related. One of the best ways to get them interested in computers is games. They may want to write their own games, and that could be their entry into programming.

Here are some links to sites that deal with this subject.

CoderDojo

CoderDojo is a web site for non profit organizations that teach kids programming, starting at age 7. Their wiki has more information.

App Invetor

App Inventor is a beginner introduction to programming and app creation. From MIT.

Scratch

Also, from MIT, there is the Scratch language. You can program right from the web site.

Python and PyGames

Python is a very clean and very easy to understand language, yet a very powerful one as well.

PyGames is a set of libraries that allow someone to write their own games using the language.

Here are several tutorials on the Python language, which you will need to write games using PyGames:

Cognitoy's Mindrover

Squeak

Squeak is a language that has developed into a community of students and teachers interested in learning and teaching programming using this deriviative of Smalltalk-80 object oriented language.

HTML and Javascript

Some kids can get started using plain HTML, writing web pages for everyone on the net to see. The instant gratification provided from instantly publishing their work, can be a good motivation for them to get started.

We have stopped using GameMaker because is not real programming tools. We have moved on Baltie - 3D education programming tool (http://www.sgpsys.com). It is being used in school in Central Europe. I think there are many competitions. I like it!

RoboMind is a very simple educational programming
environment that will familiarize you with the basics of computer
science by programming your own robot. In addition to an introduction
into popular programming techniques, you will also gain insight into
areas such as robotics and artificial intelligence. It's entirely free
for personal use.

Hello World! Programming for Kids and Other Beginners is a new resource coming out in print from Manning Publications and currently available as an ebook. It's a book written by a programmer, Warren Sande, and his son, Carter, and the lessons are in Python. It's a great book for either classroom or home setting.

ROBLOX is an online virtual world and building game for kids. It uses the Lua scripting language. Kids can have fun and learn programming at the same time. Each user is given a "place" which they can build on and add objects to. The objects can have very complicated behaviors - for instance, a working helicopter or a door that only certain people are allowed through. There is an extensive help section with tutorials and active forums to ask for advice and trade development tips. Check it out at www.roblox.com.

It uses the Lua scripting language. Kids can have fun and learn programming at the same time. Each user is given a "place" which they can build on and add objects to. The objects can have very complicated behaviors - for instance, a working helicopter or a door that only certain people are allowed through.